God Loves Each and Every One of Us

I went to the womens’ bible study this morning. It starts off with singing. Two women lead the singing worship, and they sing so beautifully, I cannot help but cry a little each time. I can feel the Holy Spirit in there, filling each of us with grace. Its a time to let go of worries and praise the Lord.

God has a plan for each of us. The bible says that God “marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their land”. God fully knows me, all of me. He knows my weaknesses, of which there are many, and the beauty within me, because I am a child of God. God has marked out our lives and knows the appointed times of our life events, even where we will live. “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” God wants us to seek him and cry out to him. God is not far from any one of us. God is waiting there like a father waits for his child, giving the child space and freedom, until the chid returns to his father. God wants us to reach out to him and find him. God is patiently waiting for us to seek him. God wants all of his children to seek him. It doesn’t matter which nation you are from, God is waiting for you. He wants each and every person in this world to not only seek him, but to find him. He is not far from us.

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
–Acts 17:26-27 (NIV)

God uses the most unlikely of people to glorify him. I find it so fascinating that God takes the weak and lifts them up for his glory. Saul, who is also called Paul (depending on where he is spreading the gospel), is a great example. Saul was breathing murderous thoughts about the disciples, when God flashed in the sky and blinded him. The experience was so impressionable that Saul (Paul) completely changed from trying to harm the disciples to becoming a disciple of God. When, we turn to God and away from sin, God will be waiting to pick us up. God forgives us so purely and protects us so fiercely. God loves his children. When Paul was spreading the gospel, the Lord told him not to be afraid, and not to be silent. God promised to protect Paul from harm. With God protecting us, there is nothing we cannot do.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
–Acts 18:9-11

As I sat in the bible study, it was a time to reflect and read the bible verses again. My stomach started growling, and I felt embarrassed, so I left. I also feel a little panicked if I am not sitting on an end seat, like I am trapped. I know, I have issues, right? I know that I do. I can’t believe that God loves me just as I am, even with my flaws. I really think that I have more flaws than most people. I love the song “Broken Things” by Matthew West. I don’t feel like I deserve God’s love, with all my obvious flaws, but thankfully God doesn’t see it that way. God loves all of me, flaws and all. God will take me where I am at and refine me, to get better each day.

The “Broken Things” song lyrics, “The pages of history they tell me it’s true. That it’s never the perfect; it’s always the ones with the scars that You use”. I always wonder why? Even me? Yes, even me. Even you. God loves each and every one of us. Seek him. God wants you to find him. No matter what you have done, seek God and ask for forgiveness. God is loving and forgives. God may even choose to shine his glory through you. “It’s the rebels and the prodigals; it’s the humble and the weak. All the misfit heroes You chose”. God wants each of us. As the song lyrics say, “There’s a seat at the table just waiting for you. So, come on inside.”

Broken Things by Matthew West

Lyrics
If grace was a kingdom
I stopped at the gate
Thinking I don’t deserve to pass through after all the mistakes that I’ve made

Oh but I heard a whisper
As Heaven bent down
Said, “Child, don’t you know that the first will be last and the last get a crown”

Now I’m just a beggar in the presence of a King
I wish I could bring so much more
But if it’s true You use broken things
Then here I am Lord, I’m all Yours

The pages of history they tell me it’s true
That it’s never the perfect; it’s always the ones with the scars that You use

It’s the rebels and the prodigals; it’s the humble and the weak
All the misfit heroes You chose
Tell me there’s hope for sinners like me

Now I’m just a beggar in the presence of a King
I wish I could bring so much more
But if it’s true You use broken things
Then here I am Lord, I’m all Yours

Grace is a kingdom
With gates open wide
There’s a seat at the table just waiting for you
So, come on inside

Songwriters: Matthew West / Jason C Houser / Andrew Jacob Pruis
Broken Things lyrics © Amplified Administration, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.